Handled Container with Pull-out Compartment

ABSTRACT

A handled container is designed to accept a pull-out tray allowing the transportation, storage, and organization of personal items. The container is an outer case to support and cover the pull-out tray. The outer case includes a case base, a case lateral wall, and a tray receiving opening. The pull-out tray is slides in and out of the tray receiving opening. An aperture or opening is included on the outer case for ease of transportation and manipulation of the container and contents within. The design of the present invention allows for the efficient stacking and organization for a plurality of the present inventions in a space saving manner.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/857,084 filed on Jul. 22, 2013

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to container that incorporates a carrying handle. More specifically, the objective of the present invention is to not only eliminate the need for a shopping bag, but also to allow for easy access to the interior of the present invention and provide a convenient storage system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Boxes and storage containers are used by everyone to contain their valuables, package objects, store items, and display merchandise. Containers come in all sorts of sizes, each varying and conforming to the interest of the consumers. Unfortunately, packaging and storing objects can prove to be inconvenient and an inefficient use of space based off of typical containers. Some containers may be abstract in shape or take up unnecessary space in a consumer's home. Other containers may be cumbersome and require the use of both hands to hold them and cannot be easily carried and transported from one place to another; this often calls for consumers to need shopping bags. Using shopping bags generates additional waste, and if the consumers have reusable shopping bags, they will have to bring the reusable shopping bags into the store with them. With other containers, a frequent problem that arises is accessing the interior of the containers and its contents. These containers have complex methods of opening and closing, and can only be fabricated from specific materials. A convenient container would incorporate a handle and a design to allow for convenient storage, not only for consumers, but also for retailers.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to introduce a container that not only provides easy access to the interior and the contents within via a pull-out compartment, but also allows users to conveniently stack and carry the present invention. More particularly, the present invention allows for the two piece system to “stand, stack, carry, and slide” and potentially eliminate the need for a shopping bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

European patent number 0,035,910 to G. Coudoin discloses a shoebox designed with a carrying handle. The carrying handle is formed from extending either the front panel or back panel beyond an end wall of the shoebox. The front panel is designed with perforated lines on its left side and right side, as well as another perforated line joining the aforementioned two perforations together near the front panel's center. The design allows the consumer to tear a portion of the front panel off the shoebox to reveal the interior of the shoebox and its contents. The front panel or back panel can also be extended past the end wall to form a tabbed lid. Further components including tab elements and slits allow the consumer and retailers to stack the shoeboxes vertically.

The above reference uses foldable tuck flaps to secure the lid in a closed position and doesn't allow easy access to the interior of the container, which is specifically designed to hold shoes; the present invention may be used for any variation of contents. The design of the above reference also limits the stacking orientation capabilities and may only be stacked vertically. After frequent opening and closing its lid, the tuck flaps of the referred prior art may become too worn and prohibit the user from effectively securing the contents. What is needed to meet the needs of consumers for easy access and elimination of shopping bags is a container that is convenient and has a simple, but effective design. This container would incorporate a pull-out compartment [aka drawer or matchbox style design] to allow easy access to its interior. This pull-out compartment would be more convenient not only for a consumer to view and access the contents, but also for packaging companies to encase the contents. The pull-out compartment also would not lose its effectiveness after frequent opening and closing, unlike the above reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an alternate top perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a back-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a left-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a right-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the present invention with the pull-out tray pulled out, revealing the interior.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention with the pull-out tray removed.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the pull-out tray of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a plurality of the present invention being vertically stacked.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a plurality of the present invention being horizontally stacked.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a plurality of the present invention standing uniquely side by side.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a plurality of the present invention stacked in a plurality of rows and columns.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

As seen in FIG. 1, the present invention is a handled container with a pull-out compartment to be inserted and removed from the container. The present invention allows for the transportation, the organization, and the storing of contents located within. The present invention comprises an outer case 1, a case aperture 2, and a pull-out tray 3. The outer case 1 is an open-ended container that is used to selectively insert and remove the pull-out tray 3 in order to access the contents of the present invention. The case aperture 2 traverses the outer case 1 and allows the user to carry and manipulate the position of the invention easily. The pull-out tray 3 stores includes a storage space 14 to store contents within the container and is removeably and slideably positioned within the outer case 1. The user opens the container by pulling the pull-out tray 3 out from the outer case 1. The user is able to view, remove or place contents into the present invention.

More specifically, the outer case 1 comprises a case base 4, a case lateral wall 5, and a tray receiving opening 10, in accordance to FIG. 2 to FIG. 9. The case base 4 is the closed end of the outer case 1 which defines the shape of the present invention and provides a barrier to motion for the pull-out tray 3 to allow the tray to always be accessible when inserted into the outer case 1. The case base 4 further supports one side of the pull-out tray 3. The case lateral wall 5 is tapered from the tray receiving opening 10 to the case base 4. This allows for a plurality of the present invention to be able to be stacked upon or arranged with one another in a saving space manner, as seen in FIG. 13 to FIG. 16. The case lateral wall 5 comprises a tubular portion 6 and an overhang portion 9. The tubular portion 6 comprises of a first open end 7 and a second open end 8. The case base 4 is perimetrically connected to the first open end 7 to define an open volume for the pull-out tray 3 to be inserted into. The tubular portion 6 further comprises a second open end 8. The second open end 8 is adjacent to the overhang portion 9. The overhang portion 9 is connected along the second open end 8. The connection may be along a segment of the second open end 8. The overhang portion 9 allows for the user to easily access the case aperture 2 for manipulation of the present invention. When stacking the present invention in the direction of the case lateral wall 5, the tapered edge allows for the increased support from the overhang portion 9 to prevent the present invention from easily tipping or sliding from the stack. The case aperture 2 traverses through the overhang portion 9. The case aperture 2 provides an opening for the user to hold to carry and manipulate the present invention. The area defined between the case aperture 2 and the end of the overhang portion 9 opposite the case base 4 from the case aperture 2 forms a handle. The user places his or her fingers around the handle to transport, carry or move the present invention. The handle eliminates the need for a shopping bag to provide a convenient means of transportation of the container and the contents within. The tray receiving opening 10 is perimetrically delineated by both the second open end 8 and the overhang portion 9. The tray receiving opening 10 allows the pull-out tray 3 to be inserted into the outer case 1, as seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

As seen in FIG. 12, the present invention incorporates the pull-out tray 3 to allow the user to easily open and close the container to reveal the contents disposed within. The pull-out tray 3 comprises a tray base 11, a tray lateral wall 12, a tray aperture 13, and a storage space 14. The pull-out tray 3 encompasses the volume of empty space created by the case base 4 and the case lateral wall 5. The tray base 11 is connected perimetrically to the tray lateral wall 12. The tray base 11 is oriented perpendicularly to the case base 4. The tray base 11 defines the shape of the pull-out tray 3. The tray base 11 and the tray lateral wall 12 define a storage space 14. The tray aperture 13 traverses the tray lateral wall 12 and is located adjacent to the tray receiving opening 10. The placement of the tray aperture 13 allows the user to easily pull the pull-out tray 3 away from the outer case 1 to access the storage space 14 of the container. The rigidity of the outer case 1 allows for the accessibility of a single pull-out tray 3 due to the sliding connection when the present invention is configured in a series of horizontal and vertical stacking as presented in FIG. 16. When trying to access the contents of one of the containers, the user is able to easily and efficiently access any given container in a stack due to the modular nature of the present invention. The contents are able to be accessed without the need to remove the desired or other units from the stack.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the case base 4 is a general rectangular shape. Subsequently, the volume enclosed by the case base 4 and the case lateral wall 5 becomes an overall rectangular prism. This specific shape allows for the present invention to be stacked in different configurations. In this embodiment, the overhang portion 9 encompasses three sides of the rectangle and comprises a first angled side panel, a second angled side panel, and a top panel. The first angled side panel is connected adjacent and perpendicular to the top panel and connected to the second open end 8 of the tubular portion 6. The second angled side panel is connected adjacent and perpendicular to the top panel opposite the first angular side panel. The case aperture 2 traverses through said top panel. The pull-out tray 3 encompasses the volume defined by the tubular portion 6 and the case base 4. This specific configuration allows of the easy access and maximum volume to the contents of the container as well as extending the case aperture 2 away from obstructions while griping the present invention for transport.

In some embodiments of the present invention, light emitting diode [LED] or liquid crystal display [LCD] screens may be incorporated on the surface of the outer case 1 or the exposed tray lateral wall 12 to provide an aesthetic or practical appeal to the present invention. Traditional aesthetics may also be used including but not limited to decals, stickers, reflective materials, reliefs, etc.

More specifically, the design of the present invention is so simple and versatile that it may be fabricated from almost any type of solid material. Materials for use of construction include, but are not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, acrylic, foam, and recycled and reclaimed materials. This is very useful for famous companies that aim to have environmentally-friendly packaging solutions. The diverse range of materials the present invention may be constructed from stems from its lack of complex folds or design-reliant dye lines or templates. For prominent companies such as shoe companies, which may want to convey a new material and/or concept, the vast range of materials can be very valuable. Most containers cannot be made from such a range of materials, unlike the present invention. Other containers require folds and flexible materials such as cardboard, but since the present invention opens and closes via a pull-out compartment, the design can be molded or shaped easily and efficiently to the needs of the user. The design for the present invention may be modeled through a computer aided design program and printed using a three dimensional [3-D] printer.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handled container with pull-out compartment comprises: an outer case; a case aperture; a pull-out tray; the outer case comprises a case base, a case lateral wall, and a tray receiving opening; the case lateral wall comprises a tubular portion and at least one overhang portion; the pull-out tray being slideably positioned into the outer case; and the case aperture traversing through the overhang portion.
 2. The handled container with pull-out compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the case lateral wall being tapered from tray receiving opening to the case base.
 3. The handled container with pull-out compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the tubular portion further comprises a first open end; and the case base being connected perimetrically to the first open end.
 4. The handled container with pull-out compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the tubular portion further comprises a second open end; the overhang portion being a segment positioned adjacent to the tubular portion; and the overhang portion being connected along the second end.
 5. The handled container with pull-out compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the tray receiving opening being perimetrically delineated by both the second open end and the overhang portion.
 6. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the pull-out tray further comprises a tray base, a tray lateral wall, a tray aperture, and a storage space; the tray base being connected perimetrically to the tray lateral wall; and the storage space being defined by the tray base and tray lateral wall.
 7. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the tray base being oriented perpendicularly to the case base.
 8. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the tray aperture traversing through the tray lateral wall adjacent to the tray receiving opening.
 9. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the case base being a general rectangular shape.
 10. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the tray base being a general rectangular shape.
 11. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the overhang portion comprises a first angled side panel, a second angled side panel, and a top panel; the first angled side panel being connected adjacent and perpendicular to said top panel; the second angled side panel being connected adjacent and perpendicular to the top panel, opposite the first angled side panel; and the case aperture traversing through said top panel.
 12. A handled container with pull-out compartment comprises: an outer case; a case aperture; a pull-out tray; the outer case comprises a case base, a case lateral wall, and a tray receiving opening; the case lateral wall comprises a tubular portion and at least one overhang portion; the pull-out tray further comprises a tray base, a tray lateral wall, a tray aperture, and a storage space; the pull-out tray being slideably positioned into the outer case; the case aperture traversing through the overhang portion; the tray base being connected perimetrically to the tray lateral wall; the storage space being defined by the tray base and tray lateral wall; and the tray base being oriented perpendicularly to the case base.
 13. The handled container with pull-out compartment as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the case lateral wall being tapered from tray receiving opening to the case base.
 14. The handled container with pull-out compartment as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the tubular portion further comprises a first open end; and the case base being connected perimetrically to the first open end.
 15. The handled container with pull-out compartment as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the tubular portion further comprises a second open end; the overhang portion being a segment positioned adjacent to the tubular portion; and the overhang portion being connected along the second end.
 16. The handled container with pull-out compartment as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the tray receiving opening being perimetrically delineated by both the second open end and the overhang portion.
 17. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the tray aperture traversing through the tray lateral wall adjacent to the tray receiving opening.
 18. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the case base being a general rectangular shape.
 19. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the tray base being a general rectangular shape.
 20. The handled container with pullout compartment as claimed in claim 12 comprises: the overhang portion comprises a first angled side panel, a second angled side panel, and a top panel; the first angled side panel being connected adjacent and perpendicular to said top panel; the second angled side panel being connected adjacent and perpendicular to the top panel, opposite the first angled side panel; and the case aperture traversing through said top panel. 